Statement of the Ukrainian Guild of Cinematographers

Cinematograpers in independent Ukraine express their shock and indignation at the blazing act of aggression on the part of Russia. That it is aimed at protecting the Russian-speaking population of Ukraine is a barefaced lie. Russia's gross interference is based on wanton misinformation which has nothing to do with reality.

The reality is that Ukraine is a country in which the rights of millions of ethnic Russians have never been infringed upon and millions more have spoken and speak Russian as their first language. For fifteen hundred years, since the times of Kievan Rus, Ukraine has been home to many nationalities. Today, cinematographers from all regions of Ukraine - Kiev, Donetsk, Crimea, Dnipropetrovsk, Lviv and Odessa - support democratic change and condemn the criminal policies and practices of ex-President Yanukovych. We are at one with the people of Ukraine.

The integrity of Ukraine and the inviolability of its borders are guaranteed by international acts and documents, including its voluntary repudiation of its nuclear status: it was the Ukrainian people that took the brunt of the Chernobyl disaster in 1986. Some of the best sons and daughters of Ukraine, people of many nationalities, were wantonly killed on the streets of Kiev as recently as ten days ago. We cannot let another Ukrtainian tragedy happen. We hold the lives of all Ukrainian citizens dear and sacred.

We call upon the international community, including cinematographers all over the world, to express their solidarity and support the Ukrainian people in its defense of its rights and freedoms, the indivisibility of their country, and an independent, truly European government in its territory. It is necessary to condemn and stop the unjustified actions of the Russian government and preserve the territorial integrity of Ukraine, which is guaranteed by international law. Europe and all the world must not betray the memory of those Ukrainian heroes who died under European flags, fighting for a European future of their country.